The European Union is preparing a sustainability rating system for data centres with capacity above 500 kW. The initiative aims to provide clearer measures for a sector whose capacity the EU expects to roughly triple within five to seven years. The framework is intended to address how large facilities use energy and resources as demand increases.
The proposed ratings would cover electricity and water use, renewable power, and waste-heat recovery. The European Parliament and Council have two months to review the delegated regulation. If the regulation is adopted, the first labels could be issued in 2027.
Scope of the delegated regulation and review timeline
Under the EU process, the delegated regulation is subject to review by the European Parliament and Council within a two-month period. The timing for implementation would allow labels to appear starting in 2027 if adoption proceeds. The ratings are designed to apply to data centres above the 500 kW threshold.
Minimum performance standards under separate consideration
Brussels is also considering minimum performance standards for data centres. A proposal for those standards is expected in the second quarter of 2027. This work runs separately from the sustainability rating system.
For operators and power suppliers, the ratings would place energy demands from new computing capacity under closer scrutiny. The change is linked to grid connections becoming a bigger constraint on expansion. As a result, new projects may face tighter evaluation of their electricity-related requirements.
